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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 45 Issue 04
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.90% 3 Year GIC - 2.25% 5 Year GIC - 2.70% Daily Interest 1.75%
Friday, January 27, 2012
Spaling, McGinn on pace for career years by Chris Daponte WELLINGTON CTY. Halfway through the National Hockey League season, county natives Nick Spaling and Jamie McGinn are both on pace for career years. As of Jan. 24, Spaling, originally from Drayton, had registered 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) for the Nashville Predators, to go along with 10 penalty minutes, 62 shots on goal and a plus-one rating. The 23-year-old’s 2011-12 point total surpasses his previous high of 14, which he tallied in 74 games last season. Fergus native Jamie McGinn, also 23, has similar stats thus far this season for the San Jose Sharks: 16 points (nine goals and seven assists), 17 penalty minutes, 78 shots and a plus-9 rating. McGinn, drafted in the second round (36th overall) in the 2006 NHL draft, leads the sharks with 100 hits and is also on pace to set a personal best in games played. In the 2009-10 season he played in 59 games, registering a careerhigh 13 points. This season he has played in every one of San Jose’s games, whereas he spent parts of the previous three seasons with
NICK SPALING the Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts. The career-high point totals for McGinn and Spaling are impressive considering both play primarily checking roles on their team’s third lines; McGinn on left wing and Spaling at centre. Spaling, drafted in the second round (58th overall) in the 2007 NHL draft, is third on the Predators in face-off wins
and has continued the trend he established in last season’s NHL playoffs - he is tied for second this season in Nashville for game winning goals. Spaling also has an impressive streak going: the Predators have yet to lose in regulation when he scores a goal (13-0-1, including playoffs). His play has earned the praise of coach Barry Trotz and also his teammates. “Even though he’s a young guy, he plays like an experienced player,� Predators goalie Pekka Rinne told the Nashville Tennessean earlier this season. “You can use him in almost any situation. He plays on the (penalty kill) and scores goals.� McGinn has also drawn considerable praise in San Jose. “We’ve really liked Jamie McGinn’s game this year,� Sharks coach Todd McLellan said in an interview last week with the San Jose Mercury News. “[He] goes down and works below the goal line and is strong against the boards. That’s his spot, that’s where he’s comfortable.� For more information on the two players visit http:// predators.nhl.com or http:// sharks.nhl.com.
Building permits down in 2011
by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - A report from the township’s chief building official has shown building activity here decreased slightly last year. David Kopp’s Jan. 10 report showed the number of permits in 2011 was 278, compared to 306 in 2010. The estimated value of construction activity decreased
from $31.97 million in 2010 to $26.21 million. Consequently, the permit fees dropped from $241,278 in 2010 to $219,020 last year. There was a slight surge in single family dwelling permits in December, with seven, which brought the total number of houses constructed to 47. There were 99 agricultural building permits issued last
year, with an estimated construction value of $8.74 million. That brought in another $87,098 in permit fees. Another 49 permits were issued for single family dwelling accessories, and 30 more in that category for renovations and additions. Mayor Bruce Whale noted there were ten permits issued in Continued on page 8
Skaters capture ‘Capers’ gold - Rhythm On Ice, the synchronized skating team from Arthur that features several Mapleton Township skaters, recently brought home a gold medal from the Synchro Capers Invitational Competition event last weekend in Newmarket. Thirteen teams from across southern Ontario competed in the pre-novice level competition. submitted photo
Township defers decision on selling Rothsay road allowance by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - A shed that encroaches on a township road allowance is the driving force behind a request for a road closing and the land purchase for a Rothsay property owner. Mapleton council on Jan. 10 deferred a decision on the request by Ryan and Nicole Martin. They hold property at Lots 86, 87, 112, and 113 on Concession 14, off County Road 7 in the hamlet. Council had deferred its decision originally because a
poor quality map it received was inadequate to show the location of the shed and the unopened road allowance that is owned by the township. That road allowance is known as Nelson Street, and it runs from County Road 7 to another unopened road allowance to the north called Head Street. Nelson Street is to the east of the Martin holdings. It is 264 feet deep and 66 feet wide. Council heard that several years ago the Martins applied for and received a building permit for an accessory shed.
Township officials later learned the building encroached onto township property, something that would not be evident just looking at the undeveloped road. There are also some trees growing on it. Township chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon said in an interview last week the Martins have asked to buy the road allowance to make the shed legal. “It makes sense to close it off and sell it to them,� she said. Continued on page 2
Council wrestles with difficulties from age old subdivision near Glen Allan by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - Old subdivisions can cast long shadows - even long before they are built. Council here is wrestling with one such proposal near Glen Allan. Nobody seems to know when it was created, or even how. Checkerboarding, or severing every second lot, is one possibility, and simply registering one with the township long ago before there were zoning rules is another. There are a number of such plans in Mapleton Township, some of them going back to the late 1800s. The one proposed for Sideroad 16 is one of them. That part of the road that runs north off County Road 45 to the west side of Glen Allan (just east of County Road 11) looks like a farmer’s lane -
because that is what it is. The problem for council is a plan of subdivision to the north, along the Conestogo River, which is hundreds of yards north of where the road abruptly stops to turn into a farmhouse. The land is Part of Lot 4, Concession 4. The township has been maintaining the short part of Sideroad 16 leading to the farmhouse. The rest, running to the subdivision, is through a field belonging to homeowner and farmer Carl Foell. Tim Martin has the subdivision lots north of that farm field, and is proposing to create two housing lots. He has to merge several lots proposed long ago because they are too small to meet current standards for septic systems. Martin’s other problem is those lots do not have any road
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frontage - another firm rule for being able to build a house. On Jan. 10, council had his proposal back for discussion but deferred any decision until chief administration officer Patti Sinnamon could obtain a legal opinion on the best way to proceed. Sinnamon said in an interview last week Martin has the option, like other developers, of opening up the entire Sideroad 16 leading to the two housing lots by building a road. But Martin told council he has no interest in that. Developers build roads for large subdivisions, but not for two lots, due to the high cost. There are other options. If council agrees to stop and close the road, it could declare the road allowance surplus property and sell it to Martin. Normal rules are that it would first be
offered to the adjacent property owners, but Martin said neither has any interest in that. When it comes to selling such land, Sinnamon said in a report to council “In terms of value, pursuant to the surplus lands policy, we do not obtain an appraisal for unopened road allowances, but rather the sale price is equal to the cost of survey legal fees, and disbursements and advertising costs.� She added, “The long-term benefit of transferring these lands into private ownership far outweighs the benefit to the municipality and retaining the land in our own inventory (ie.in terms of property assessment and taxation).� Martin’s two house lots sit so one is located to the north of the other. The unopened portion of Sideroad 16 is 66 feet wide. One possibility is
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to create a lane on the west side, of 33 feet, which would run directly to the first house. Another lane 33 feet wide to the west of that would run past the first house and turn into the second house. Then, both properties could claim 33 feet of frontage on Sideroad 16 where Foell’s driveway ends. But that solution still creates problems. Several councillors have suggested it would be easiest to close that entire portion of the road. Yet it is doubtful Foell would be interested in losing his township road maintenance. Further, the township has been spending money on it. Plus, councillors have noted Foell would need to have an agreement in place to cover maintenance of what could become a driveway. If the township decides to
sell the portion beyond Foell’s driveway, the two lot owners would need a right of way agreement. Mayor Bruce Whale pointed out closing the entire road means it becomes a private laneway. Councillor Neil Driscoll said, “We talked about it last meeting. It would make it easier for everyone.� Martin told council, “My proposal is to keep it as it is. It’s close to a shed area� and someone could legally erect a fence that could again cause legal difficulties with access. He added he suspects Foell would not be pleased with a full gravel road through what is currently a field. Martin said, “I’m willing to make it work so it makes sense for all parties ... with minimal Continued on page 3
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